This wikiHow teaches you how to attempt to fix an unresponsive keyboard key. If cleaning the key's slot and re-seating the key doesn't fix your key's problems, you may need to replace the key altogether.

Steps

Part 1

Preparing to Repair or Replace a Key

1

Gather your repair equipment. In order to attempt to repair a key on your laptop's keyboard, you'll need the following items:

Prying item - Something plastic, such as a credit card or a spudger, is best; you can use a butter knife or a flathead screwdriver in a pinch.

Q-tip - Used to clean grit and dust from the area surrounding the key.

Toothpick - Used to clean grooves around the key.

Tweezers - Used to pull away pieces of the key carriage. Not necessary for all computers, but helpful.

A container - Used to store the pieces of the key while you make the repairs. You can use a bowl, a plastic bag, or any similar such item here.

2

Know the anatomy of a key. Most keyboard keys are comprised of three parts: the key cap (which is the key itself), the key carriage (a flat piece of plastic on which the key sits), and the key pad (a piece of rubber that sits between the key and the carriage).

Most MacBook keys don't have the rubber key pad.

Many computers' key carriages are comprised of two or more pieces of plastic that nest together.

3

Find a clean workspace. It's best to find a flat, clean, indoor area, such as a kitchen table or a counter, on which to perform your repairs.

4

Turn off and unplug your computer. Make sure that your computer is off and not plugged into a power source when your go to remove a key.

You may want to remove the computer's battery as well, if possible.

5

Ground yourself before attempting any repairs. While the chances of you damaging your computer's internals with static electricity via a key repair are slim, grounding only takes a second and is good practice for dealing with electronics in general.

Part 2

Repairing a Key

1

Clean the area around the key. Using a damp q-tip, swab the area between the key that you want to replace and the surrounding keys. This will usually constitute moving the q-tip in a square around the key.

If your keyboard is sticky or grimy, you can use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the q-tip to help remove the grime.

2

Clean the grooves beneath the key. Use the toothpick to scrape gently the space below and around the key. This will help prevent any loose dust or grit from falling down into the key's slot.

3

Remove the key. Pry up the bottom of the key at a 45-degree angle, then pull it away from the keyboard and set it somewhere safe.

4

Review the carriage for bent or out-of-place parts. If the carriage isn't laying flat or it appears to be warped, try gently pressing down on the bent part to see if it will snap back into place.[1]

Likewise, if the key cap is tilted or loose, try pressing down on it to see if it snaps back into place.

5

Remove the key's internal parts. This includes the carriage and key pad.

Be sure to note the position of the internal parts so that you can place them back later.

6

Look for and remove any obstructions. One of the most common reasons for computer keys failing to work is foreign material in the area beneath the key. If you see any dust or residue, remove it and clean the area.

7

Re-insert the key's carriage and pad. Place both the carriage and pad back in the key slot in the way in which they were initially set. You may have to press down on parts of the carriage to lock it into place.

8

Place the key back in its slot. Insert the top of the key into the slot at a 45-degree angle, then lower the rest of the key into the slot. This should allow the hooks that are typically at the top of the key to catch when placed.

If there aren't hooks at the top of the key, this will still allow the key to come to a naturally horizontal resting position when you lay it down.

9

Press down firmly on the key. This will snap the key back into place. It should spring back up immediately after you remove your finger.

If the key is still broken (e.g., it won't spring back up, its letters don't type, etc.), you'll need to replace the key instead.

Part 3

Replacing a Key

1

Find your computer's model information. In order to find a replacement key for your computer, it's important to know your computer's model type:

Windows - Open Start

, type in this pc, click This PC, click the Computer tab in the upper-left corner, click System Properties, and look at the name below the "Device specifications" heading. Your laptop's brand should be listed on the lid.

Mac - Open the Apple menu

and click About This Mac, then look at the line of text below the "Version" text.

2

Look up your computer's key replacement. Type your computer's manufacturer name and model number, followed by replacement key, into Google and review the results.

For example, you might type asus q553ub replacement key into Google.

3

Order replacement keys. Depending on your model of computer and your regional location, your options for ordering keys will vary.

Places like eBay, Amazon, Best Buy, and many other online stores stock key replacements.

4

Remove the key and its internal parts. As with repairing the key earlier, make sure that you are aware of the key's parts' location before removing them so that you have a reference.

If you can take a reference picture before removing the key's internal parts, do so.

5

Place the replacement key's carriage in the key slot. It should be positioned in exactly the same way in which the former carriage was positioned.

6

Snap the key pad into place. Push the key pad into the center of the carriage, then press down until it clicks or snaps into the carriage.

Skip this step on a MacBook or any other keyboard that doesn't use key pads.

7

Lay the replacement key in the key slot. Insert the top of the key into the slot at a 45-degree angle, then lower the rest of the key into the slot.

8

Press down firmly on the key. The key should snap into place, and it should spring up immediately after you remove your finger.

One of the four hooks is broken on a key of our Dell Inspiron 3000 computer. Our cat jumped on it and pulled off the key. It can't be put back on because of the broken hook. Do I need to get a new keyboard?

Community Answer

There is no need to purchase an entire keyboard. Several e-Bay sellers sell individual keys.

If it is an external keyboard try to pry off the keys one by one, then clean all the keys individually with some detergent and then clean the inside of the keyboard with some cotton swabs, and if the keys still don't click add some WD-40 to the keys. If it is a laptop keyboard I would see your local PC shop for advice.

Tips

Not all keyboards are alike, so make sure that the model of key that you get works for your specific model of computer by researching it as much as possible before purchasing.

Warnings

If your key still won't work after being replaced, your keyboard's circuit board is most likely the problem. Having a laptop circuit board replaced is generally a task best left to a tech department (e.g., the Apple Store or a place like Best Buy).